Switch-stand



F. C. ANDERSUN.

SWITCH STAND.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY I. 1920.

Patented N 0V. 30, 1920,

1,; Kif' Attorney.

CTC

switch-stand;

N UNITED STATES FRANK C. ANDERSON, O CINCINNATI, OHIO.-

SWITCH-STAND.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented NOV. 30, 1920.

Application led July 1, 1920. Serial No. 393,355.

10 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK C. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Stands, of which the following is a'speciication.

My invention relates -to ground-lever parallel-throw switch-stands. to add. to the range of choice of leverage, in the transmission of the Vswitch-throwing elfort from the handle to the switch pointrail, whereby there may be combined ease of manual switch-throwing operation with such control of the point-rails by the weighted handle that yielding and vibration of the latter, under normal tratlic, will be negligible, even Vwithout the use of a latch, thereby permitting the use of the stand for yard use without latches; but so that the leverage provided will permit excess strain on the point rail, as when the switch is run through, to raise the handle lever and avoid breakage of the stand or rails without resort to resilient or break-A able connections. A further object is to provide such an improved switch-stand' with a target-shaft, to be operated in accordance with the switch -throwing operation, but which will be relieved of the heavy strain of the switch-throwing operation or theexcessive strains imposed on the stand under normal or unusual traliic, in the circumstances just alluded to. A further object is to provide for the ready assembly of the stand,V and for its adjustment to different switches,V

and to compensate for wear in the connections, in accordance with the aforementioned objects; and in general, to make the stand as simple 'and economical of construction, installation and maintenance as is consistent with the high standard of reliability demanded of equipment of this character. Other objects will appear in the course of the ensuing description,

l attain these objects by the device illus-i' trated, for example, in the accompanying drawing, in whichl Figure 1 is a general perspective view of part of a railway Fig, 2 is a perspective detail view of the base;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional plan view of the stand, the section being on Va plane corresponding to the line 3-3 of Fig. l,

Its object is I switch equipped with myl Fig. lis a sectional front elevation, on the same scale, the section being on a plane corresponding to the line i-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical front-to-rear section. on the same scale, on a plane corresponding to the line V5 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a vertical lengthwise section of the adjustable crank; and Y Fig. 7 is a perspective detail view of one of the shims.

The base of the stand comprises, in an integral casting, preferably of malleable iron, a main generally llat middle part 1 with curved junction parts 2 at opposite ends, extending down to the foot-plates 3, which are generally flat and are adapted to rest on the head-blocks 4 of the switch installation. These -plates 3 preferably have the end notches 5 and the openings 6 and 7, suitably distributed across the grain of the wooden head-blocks, through which spikes 8 are driven into the head-blocks, securing the stand rigidly thereon as usual. The foot-plates 3 extend considerably past the front of the main part l, where each plate 3 has formed on it an upstanding leverrest 9, elongated across the plate and alined with each other across Athe base, with their tops longitudinally channeled, by having side ribs 10 that taper downwardly and inwardly toward each other across the respective rest 9. Opposite the junction of the extended part of each foot-plate 3 with the main rear part thereof that is coexten- .sive with the main base part 1, there is a rather large oblong opening 11 through the plate, leaving this junction of much reduced cross-section. Small vribs 12 extend up from the foot-'plates 3 onto the curved junction parts 2.

The base also comprises, integrally formed with the just described parts, a front shaft bearing 13 extending at the middle of the front of the main part 1, with flanking ears having flat surfaces upward, with bolt-holes down through Vthem surrounded by annular alining bosses 15; and a slight raised rim 16 continues from these ears 14 back'` along the ends of tlie'main part 1 and along the rear edge thereof,

' widened at thev rear corners, with similar bolt-holes having the similar bosses 15 thercaround. At the middle of the rear of the main part 1 is a semi-circular extension 17 with the rim 16 continued around its edge and with the relatively large vertical crank-and-clutch; bearing opening .18 down ample up-and-down length to the bearing opening 18. Preferably, a heavy rib 21 Y lentends from eachv side of the depression 19,

I across the bottom of the main part or plate Vjoining the wallV thereof, and continues 1 to the respective curved junction part 2.

which it joins; being substantially alined with the rear end of the depression 19 (Fig. 5).

The base further comprises, integral with the aforedescribed parts, three pedestals; two'of these, 22, being at the front, slightly spaced backfrom the rim 16 and each running across the main plate 1 from near the rim 16 at the endto within the depression 19 at the front end thereof. The third pedestal 23 runs parallel with the front pedestals 22, from near the rim 16 at one end to near the rim` 16 at the other end of the plate 1, at thef rear end of the depression 19. The front and-rear pedestals 22 and 23 are thus considerably spaced apart forwardly and rearwardly, andthe front pedestals 22 are considerably vspaced apart at their inner ends, equidistant from the front-to-rearcenter line of the base, along which are alined the front shaft-journal bearing 20 and the rear crank-and-clutch bearing opening 18; and the rear pedestal 23 runs across this center line.

The casing is another casting, which may be of gray iron with continuous preferably flat .top 24, front 25 which is straight except for the front shaft-bearing 26 and ears 27 having bolt-holes with surrounding sunken parts tofit on the annular alining bosses 15 of the base ears 14, sides 28 and back 29. all conforming to the rim of the base, and having at the rear corners the ledges 30 with the upper casing walls curved in therearound and with bolt-holes having surrounding .sunken parts to fit on the rear alining bosses 15 of they base. In this conformity toy the base-rim 16 this casing has the substantially semicylindrical rear extension; and the top 24 of this casing has down through it the target-shaft-bearing opening 31 in vertical alinement with the base opening 18 when the easing is alined on the base, to which latter thecasing is firmly secured by thebolts 32 through vthe front ears and the bolts 33 through-.the rear ledges 30 and rear corner parts of the base. Thisv casing thus has a fully open bottom, permitting Ythe interiorworking parts of the stand to be fully assembled on the base; after which the casing may be'brought down thereover in a very simple manner and bolted to the base, completing the assembly.

The handle-lever 34 has at one endv the weight-handle 35 of approved design, and at its other end, preferably forged integrally with the lever 34, the pinion shaft 36. This shaft lies in the front shaft-bearings of the base and casing, and' has keyed on it the pinion segment 37 occupying the-depression 19 of the base and ,having at its front end a short hub 38, through which hub is a pin 39, passing through the shaft 36; As shown, this pinion-segment has five teeth, the terminal ones of theseries being diametrically Y opposite; that is. it 1s an eight-tooth pinion.

with three of the teeth omitted at one side. It is so keyed to the shaft 36 that its middle tooth is Valined with the handle lever 34. The rear pedestal prevents escape of the pinion key. y y

The rack 40 comprises in one casting. preferably of malleable iron, the iiat'body 41. the six teeth 42 in longitudinal series alongr the bottom of the body, and the parallel front-to-rear upstanding jaws 43 considerably spaced apart equidistant from the front-to-rear median line of the body, symmetrically to which the downwardly kprojecting teeth 42 are also arranged. This rack has its teeth 42 shorter than the frontto-rear Width of the body 41, leavingl equal longitudinal bearing sur-faces 44 and 45 at front and rear, which bear on the tops of the base pedestals 22 and 23, respectively; and the teeth 42 are of such width as to have an easy fit between the front and rear pedestals, whereby` the rack is supported for transverse travel. Thus supported, the pedestalsV 22 and 23 being ofthe proper height, the rack teeth 42 mesh with the teeth of the pinion-segment 37, symmetrically. Lugs 41', at the corners of the body 4]., act as guides.

The target-shaft 46 is suitably designed in its upper part.with the target-elements 47 fixed thereto in approved manner. The lower end of this target-shaft 46 is threaded, and some distance above the threads has a transverse opening. The crank 48 comprises, in one casting, preferably malleable iron, lthe rather large hub 49 down lthrough which the target shaft 46 fits snugly, and the front head 50, which has an easy lit between the jaws 43 of the rack 40 when the crank isthus mounted on .the target-shaft 46 with the latter bearing in lthe casing top opening 31V and thelower-end part of the hub 49fitting-down in the crankand-clutchopening 18 of the base. lower-end part of the hub 49 has its lower face transversely grooved, and up a proper distance has an annular flange 51 that rests This on the top of the base main plate 1 around the opening 18, holdingthe crank 48 at the right height to work easily withthe rack 40; while the target-shaft is in turn-supported by this Ycrank by a pin 52 slipped:

through a transverse opening in lthe hub 49 at the right height and through the ytarget-shaft opening. This pin 52 hasl a head 53 large enough to extend out against the inner concave wall of the rear casing extension and thus prevent material outward displacement of the pin 52 from the hub and shaft.

The v:crank-block 54 is of general cylindrical shape with opposite sides flattened, and having a crankarm opening through it from one flat side vto the other; andit has in its upper end a threaded or tapped opening with clutch-teeth 55 at opposite sides. The. aforedescribed lower-end part of the crank-hub 49 extends only partly through the-thickened part of the base main plate 1, in' the opening 18; and this upper-end part of the crank-block 54 extends up into the lower part of this opening 18 and its teeth 55 tit in the transverse groove of the lowerend part of the hub 49, while the threaded lower-end part of the target-shaft 46 is screwed down into the tapped opening or' the crank-block 54, thus holding the latter up on the crank 48. Any slight looseness of :tit of the teeth 55in the grooves, as is unavoidable with cast formation of these parts, does not impose the switch-throwing and switch-holding strain on the targetshaft 46, because the crank-block 54 can turn on its threads until these teeth engage with the sides of the grooves.

The crank-arm 56 is generally of the shape of a pin or bolt, with one end part 57 threaded and its other end part 58 -flattened into the form of an eye; and it also comprises, next to this eye part 58, a flange 59 to bear against the adjacent Hat side of the crankblock 54 when inserted through the opening of the latter," and has a bottom arm 60 on the lower end of this flange 59, to extend under the bottom of the crank-block 54 and some distance past the opposite side thereof. number of shims or washers 61 are provided, each of general U-shape (Fig. 7) but with the members of the U flat transversely, such as would be formed by stamping these parts troni relatively heavy sheet ,metal These shims 61 are inverted and placed with their fiat sides together, straddli'ng the crank-arm 56 vbetween said opposite flat side of the crank-block 54 and the nut 62 screwed onto the threaded end part 57 of the crankarm A56.

The connecting-rod 63 is forked, with its members 64 straddling the. eye part 58 ofthe crank-arm 5 6 and receiving the crank-pin 65 down through the members and eye, in a well known manner, in which position the pinv65, as here exemplified, is held by a cotter 67 through the lower projecting part of the pin 65, which latter has its head down on the top of Vthe upper connecting-rod member 64 and is thus supported. The other end of the rod 63 is forked, with its members 68 straddling the head-rod 69 and connected thereto by a pin; the head rod being suitably connected tothe switch point-rails 70, only one of which is shown (Fig. 1). The shims 61 have their lower ends resting upon the top oty the extended part of the bottom arm 60. These U-shaped shims or washers 61, inverted, are readily inserted or removed by loosening the nut 62, without taking the crank-arm 56 out of the crank-block 54; and when the nut 62 is tightened, are held firmly in place. The

slight turning of the crank-block 54 on its threads on the target-shaft 46 avoids shearing of the pin 52 under heavy strain on the parts, which, if occurring, would permit the crank-block 54 to. drop loose from the crank 48.

In assembling the stand, the handle-lever 34 is placed in its bearing 20 in the base. with its pinion-segment 37 keyed and pinned thereon as before described; and the rack element 40 is placed thereover, in mesh with the pinion-segment 37 and midway of its travel when the lever 34 is upright. The target-shaft 46, before its target elements 47 are assembled thereon, is screwed into the upper end of the crank-block 54 and the crank 48 has its hub 49 slipped down on the shaft 46 until its groove receives the teeth 55 of the crank-block 54. Then the opening for the-pin 52 is bored in the crank-hub 49 and shaft 46 and the pin 52 is passed through these parts. This assembled mechanism is now placed on the base by passing the crank-block 54 down through the opening 18 and allowing the crank-head 50 to come between the rack-jaws 43. The casing is then placed on the base with the front bearing of the casing over the pinion-shaft 36; and, this casing being bolted to the base as before described, holds all of the inner parts in their proper positions, without further adjustment or fastening.

The crank-block 54, projecting below the rear part 17 of the base, receives the crankarm 56 and its shims 61 and nut 62 as before described; the arm 56 being inserted from one side or the other, according to the position of the switch to which the stand is applied. Itis made longer or shorter in throw by transferring one or more of the shims 61 from one side of the crankblock 54 to the other, in convenient manner as before described. The bearing of the lower ends of the inverted U-shaped shims 61 on the extension of the arm 60 prevents their turning around on the crank-arm 56, which, if permitted, might result in their working loose. vThe adjustment thus permitted bytransferring the shims '61 allows provision for variation inlength of throw, either initially, due to switches built to throw different amounts, or after considerable use of the switch, when the throw of the crankmustbe increased due to wear of `the connecting parts.

There the stand is used in yards or other places in which it is. not liableto be tam-y pered with, it is to be installed without latches; the foot-plate extensions receiving the handle-lever 34C onfthe rests 9, in the channeled tops thereof, and the weight of the handle 85 and the lever itself being depended upon to prevent excessive vibration of the working parts and consequent excessive opening of the point rails under normal traflic, but to yield upward under abnormal strain, as. in running through the switch `from the opposite end thereof, under the im proved conditions as will later be explained. IVhen the switch is used for main line or other exposed positions, and latches are necessary, to permit locking` of the switch, the foot-plate extension may be readily cut Aaway Vfrom the main Vfoot-plate parts contiguous to the base main part. by severine', with a chisel, at opposite sides of the openings l1, in the reduced cross-sections caused by these openings. This leaves space on the head-bloeks 4L for installing any approved latch of the proper dimensions to receive the handle-lever 34k in the well known manner.

My improved switch-stand is designed to dispense with latches, except where prerequisite to locking the switch, owing to the use of the intermediate lever orcrank 48, and the use of a spur pinion-segment 37; as distinguished from the well known bevel. pinion-segment working directly against the switch -throwing crank element through a bevel gear segment. The length of the handle-lever should noty be varied materially; and by making the spur pinion-segment relatively small, as is possiblewhereas a bevel pinion must be of considerable size, as dictated by the requirements in casting itsteeth at the small end, I am'enabled to provide the required leverage without varying the handle-lever length. Similarly, the switch-throwing crank, as here represented by the crank-arm and block, must be of the length required to properly throw the switch; it cannot have its length varied to` adjust the leverage for the purpose here 1n view. But the intermediate crank 48 can be of such length as may be required for this purpose, to contribute, in conjunction with the Yproperly sized pinion-segment 37, just I the 1 proper leverage, or ratio of eii'ort 'of transmission from track to handle-lever and weight-handle, to subserve the purpose of dispensing with latches.

Oncelat-ches are eliminated from the installation of yard switches and switches` as breakable cranks or crank-pinsgor otherparts of proportions for breakage; under abnormal strain, and the use-of resilient connections, such as springs and the like to yield under the excessive pressure, Vvare also eliminated. The cost of the installation, and also of the upkeep, may thus be greatiy reduced; as no breakable parts need be renewed, and any element of uncertainty with spring connections is avoided. j

liiy improved stand .is constructed with these purposes in view', yet with all of the precautions against derangement observed in other switch-stands. .The target-shaft-el does not transmit any of the switch-throw'wf ing strain; this being taken by the engaged crank 48 Vand crank-block llgand the shaft i6 acting only' as a means of Vholding these heavy parts together, in addition to its primaryl Jfunction of turning thek target-elements 4:7, or the target lampv that may be mounted thereon. These effective connections are made by simple means, as is Vmanifest from the description of their assembly; so that the entire construction is of cost not out of proportion to the advantages derived thereby. Y

It will be understood that the target-shaft maybe of any required height, asin other stands; and any of the other parts may have their design orrdimensions varied, and be made of such materials or in as many different parts as may be expedient .under varying conditions. Therefore, while `certain constructional detailsare deemed preferablein connection with my invention, and I have Vshown and described these rather specifically in` elucidating the construction and use of my invention, as is required, I do not wish to be understood as being limited -to such precise showing and descrip f tion, but having` thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten is: Y V

l. Ina switch-stand, mechanism comprising a lever and a spur pinion coaxially connected, a rack above and meshing with said pinion, an intermediate crank operatively engaging with said rack thereabove, a direct switchethrowing crank coaXially connected with said intermediate crank, and means operatively supporting said mechanism.

2. In a switch-stand, mechanism comprising a lever and a spur pinion coaxially confing. a lever and a pinion coaxiallv'connected,

mechanism and having an opening through which said intermediate crank and said direct switch-throwing crank are connected,

-and a .substantially flat-topped opeii-bottomed casing fitting on said base over and around saidmechanism.

3. In a switch-stand, supporting means, a rack element and a lever operatively mounted on said means, a spur pinion coaXially connected to said lever and meshing with the teeth of said rack, an intermediate crank directly engaging withrvsaid rack element and having a bearing iii said supporting means, and a direct switcli-throwing*crank coaxially connected with said intermediate crank and off-set downwardly therefrom. v 4. In a switch-stand, supporting means, mechanism operatively supported by said means, comprising a lever and a spur pinion coaxially connected,a rack element having teeth meshing withsaid pinion, anvintermediate crank in direct engagement with said rack element, and a direct switchthrowing crankV coaXiallyv connected with said intermediate crank and eXtendingbelow the lowest partV of said supporting means for connection to switch-connecting means therebelow.

5. In a switch-stand, mechanism comprising a lever and a spur pinion coaxially connected, a rack element above said pinion and having teeth on its bottom meshing with said pinion, an intermediatecrank operatively engaging directly with said rack element, a .direct switch-throwing crank coaxially connected with said intermediate crank, and means operatively -supporting said mechanism. A

6. In a switch-stand, mechanism comprisling a lever and a spur pinion coaXially connected, a rack meshing with said pinion, an intermediate "crank operatively engaging with said rack,l a directVKV switch-throwingcrank 'coaxially vconnected with said intermediateA crank, vand a base comprising a 1 main part forming bearing'and supporting means for said mechanism, with Van opening through which said intermediate crank Vand said direct switch-throwing crank are connected, and `comprising downwardly proli'ectedV foot-plates at opposite ends .of said main part` extending past said main lpart opposite said lever` with lever rests on these extensions of the respective foot-plates. each 'one 'of said rfoot-plates being materially reduced inV cross-section-*in its region where'l'it extends past said main' part` whereby it may --bef readily-detached from said main part to leave space for a latch for-saidv lever. Y'

'7. "In ,a switch-stand. mecha nismcomprisa -rack'meshing with 'said pinion, an intermediate crank operatively engaging with said rack, a crank block coaxially, connected with said intermediate crank, a crank-arm extended through said crank-block, having one end threaded and having rod-connecting means at its opposite end, a nut on said threaded end, and a shim between said nut and said crank-block.

8.. In a switch-stand, mechanism comprismeans at its opposite end, a nut on said vthreaded end, and a U-shaped shim inverted and astraddle of said crank-arm between ksaid nut and said crank-block.

9. In a switch-stand, a base comprising a bearing and spaced apart at opposite sides front-to-rear shaft-bearing at its front, ped- Aestals extending up at the rear of said of the center line of said bearing, a lever with a shaft in said bearing, va pinion fixed on said shaft to'the rear of said bearing, a

rack element having downwardly proj ectiiig teeth meshing with said pinion and a longitudinal bearing on said pedestals, an intermediate crank mounted on'said base on an upright axis, to the rear of said rack.;-

elementj and operatively engaging with Vsaid rack j element, and a direct switchthrowing crank coaXially connected with said intermediate crank.

l0. In a switch-stand, a base comprising A a front-to-rear shaft-bearing at its front, pedestals extending up at the rear of said bearing and spaced apart at opposite sides of the center line of said bearing, a reai pedestal some distance back of said front pedestals, extending across said center line, a lever witlia shaft in said bearing, a pinion keyed on said shaft at the rear of said bearing, with its rear end close 'to saidrear pedestal,'whereby its key is retained by said,`

rearlpedestal, a rack element having downwardly projecting teeth meshing with Vsaid pinion, and surfaces at opposite sides of said teeth bearing on said front and rear pedestals, respectively, an intermediate crank; f

mounted on said base on an upright axis,

- to the rear of said'rack element and operatively eiigaging with said rack element, and av directY switch-throwing crank coaxially rconnected with said intermediatel cra-nk.

Y 11. In a switch-stand, mechanism com- ',prising alever and a spur pinion coaxiall'y connected, a rack meshing with said pinion,

an intermediate crank operatively related to 'said rack, a direct switch-throwing crank coaXially connected with said intermediate Y crank. a base forming bearing and supporting means for' said mechanism and having V-an opening through'which said cranks are connected, and aca-sing over and around said mechanism, with an open bottom tting on'sa-id vbase in substantially a single plane.

12. In :a switch-stand, mechanism comprising a lever and a spur pinion coaxially connected, a rack above said pinion, mesh- Ving with said pinion, an intermediate crank operatively engaging with the upper part of 'said rack, adirect switch-throwing crank coaxially connected with said intermediate crank, a'ba'se `forming bearing and supporting means'i'oisaid mechanism and having an opening through which said cranks are connected, and a substantially flat-topped casing over and around saidmechanism,y

with an open bottom fitting on said basev in substantially a single plane.

18.7111 a switch-stand, a base comprising Y ai front-to-rear shatt-bcaringfat its front`v front pedestals'extending up at the rear .of 'said bearing andvspaced apart at opposite lsides ofthe center' line. of said bearing, a

,rean pedestal some distance back of said front pedestals, extending across said center line, alever with a shaft in said bearing, a

) sr'iurp'inionv keyed on said shaft at "the rear of'said bearing with its rear end close t0 'said rear pedestal, whereby its key is retained by said rear-pedestal, arackV element 'having downwardly projecting teeth meshing with' said pinion and surfaces at-opposite lsides Ofl said teeth forming longitudinal VVbearings on saidl front anchiear pedestals,

its hub having a flange bearing on said base around said opening of said base, with the lower end part in s aid opening and having engaging means on the lower end thereof,

y the lower, end part of said target-shaft being threaded, 'a crank-block'screweg]L .Onto Said YthIi'CleCl 'lower end part Wlth engaging means engaging with the engaging'means Y on the loiwer end vof ysaid intermediatecrank'hub, said crank-block 'having opposite-flat; sides vvithfan opening through it `from eine flat'side tothe other, a' crank-arm extending through said opening in vSaid crank-block, with rod-connecting means at one end'and having its opposite iend threaded,

nuton said' threaded end, a U-shaped shim inverted fand astraddle ofjsaid crankar'm between said nut? and the adjacent iat side ot the *crank-block, and a* substantially flattopped 'open-"bottomed casingV fittingk down on said base over and around saidrmechanism, with its wall engaging said pin to hold it in said intermediate-crank hub and 'target-shaft, said target-shaft extending through and bearing in the top of said casing, and said base having, at opposite ends, outside'said casing, downwardly proJected foot-plates with means to secure the switchystand in working position, each foot-plate extendingforwardly past the front of said casing, with a respective lever-rest thereon in position to receive said lever, and having,

near the beginning of its forward extension,

a reduced cross-section, whereby the forwardly extended part may be readily detached from the rear part, to leave space tor a latch for said lever. f

14. In a switch-stand, mechanism coinprising a lever and a pinion coaxially connected, a rack in mesh with said pinion, an

intermediate crank in engagement with said frack, a casing around said intermediate crank, a target-shaft extending coaxially through said crank, a pin non-rotatively fixing said target-shaft in said crank and'.

held in its fixing position by said casing, and a direct switch-throwing crank held in operative connection with said intermediate crank bysaid target-shaft.

15. In a `switch-stand, mechanism com' `pi'vi'sing `av lever andA a pinion coaxially connected,a rack in mesh with said pinion, an

' intermediate crank in engagement Y with said rack, a direct switch-throwing crank, the

two cranks havingmutually engaging means Y for operative connection, anda shaft screwed into said "direct-switch-throwing crank and non-rotatively ixedV in said'iintermediate crank.

16. 'In a switch-stand, a base comprising 'a vfront-to-rearshaft bearing at its front,

and pedestals extending. up'at the rear of saidxbearing and spaced apart at 'opposite sides of `the "center line of said bearing.`

17;*-In'a switch-stand, a base comprising,

a 'front-to-rear' shaft bearing V'at its front, edestals extending upVV at theigrea'r otsaid earing land spaced apartv at opposite sides of the'center-lineof said bearing, and a pedestal to the reai` of said-spaced-apart pedestals, yextending'across said `center line. 1 Y,

'18: In a 'switch-stand,V a-base comprising a Lfront-'to-"rear Lshaft-bearing at its` front, "and pedestals extending up` at; the rear of lsaid bearing and 'spaced rapart-at oppositet :sides-of the center line of said bearing, and having an opening down through it back ,of said Apedestals, lin front-to-rear-Talinement with said shaft-bearing.`

iio

T19.` InV aswitch-stand, -a "basecompri'sing ba front-to-rear shaft/:bearingl atits front,

Ypedestals extendingupi Aat `therear *of saidl bearingl andspac'ed'apart at Vopposite sides of thecen't'er line v-ofsaid bearing, and-,a

pedestal to the rear of said spaced-apart pedestals, extending across said center line, said base having an opening down through it back of said pedestal, in front-to-rear alinement with said shaft-bearing.

20. In a switch-stand, a rack element eomprising a main flat part with teeth and a longitudinal bearing surface along on one iat side, and fixed crank-engaging means projecting from its opposite fiat side, adapted to admit a crank moved toward said side at right angles to the flat surface of said side.

21. In a switch-stand, a rack element comprising a main flat part with 'teeth and a longitudinal bearing surface along on one fiat side, and fixed longitudinally spaced p jaws projecting from its opposite flat side.

22. 'In a switch-stand, a base yhaving an opening down through it, and a crank havine` a hub extending down into said opening with a flange bearing` on said base around said opening, and having engaging means on its lower end part.

23. In a switch-stand, a crank-block of general cylindrical shape with opposite flat sides with an opening through it from one vflat side to the other, and having engaging means on one end and an axial threaded openinev in said end.

24. Iii a switcli-stand, a crank-block of general cylindrical shape with opposite flat sides with an opening through it from one lat side to the other, a crank-arm through said opening with rod-connecting means at one end and threaded on its opposite end part, a nut on said threaded part, and a shim of generalA U-shape between said nut and said crank-block, astraddle of said crank-arm.

25. In a switch-stand, a shim of general U-shape.

26. In a switch-stand, a shim of general U-shape, with the members of the U fiat, as would be formed by cutting from a flat sheet.

27. In a switch-stand, a crank-block with a transverse opening, a crank-arm through said opening with rod-connecting means at one end and having retaining means at its opposite end part, and a shim astraddle of said crank-arm between said crank-block and said retaining means, with one side o en whereby it may be slipped onto ando of said crank arm sidewise of the crank-arm.

28. In a switch-stand, a crank-block with a transverse opening, a crank-arm through said opening with rod-connecting means at one end and having retaining means at its opposite end part, and having a part extending rom under said crank-block toward said retaining means, and a shim astraddle of said Crank-arm between said crankblock and said retaining means, with one side open whereby it may be slipped down onto the crank-arm or up off of the crankarm, and bearing against said extending part whereby it is prevented from turning around on said crank-arm.

29. In a switch-stand, a crank-block with a transverse opening, a crank-arm through said opening with rod-connecting means at one end and having retaining'means at its opposite end part, and having a part extending past said crank-block toward said retaining means, and a shim astraddle of said crank-arm between said eranleblock and said retaining means, with one side open whereby it may be slipped onto and off of said crank-arm sidewise of the crank-arm, said extending part preventing 'turning of said shim on said crank-arm.

FRANK C. ANDERSON. 

